Culture, Arts & Music

Think of Calgary as a cowboy poet who plays the drums

Look beneath Calgary’s Wild West exterior and you’ll find a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Calgary's active theatre community, festival scene and fine art offerings will take you on journey of the imagination far beyond the confines of “Cowtown.”

Four summer days of great music at multiple venues during this independent music and arts festival. Local and international talent, both emerging and established is showcased. Sled Island also includes film, art and comedy in addition to the music component.

An impossibly rich assortment of bands from around the world playing a mishmash of traditional music genres and modern styles. Bring your picnic blanket to stake out your spot, stop to sample the cuisine at the international food fair, shop the record tent and global craft market, or chill out in the beer garden.

Beakerhead brings together art and engineering from across the city, province, country and world to build, compete and exhibit interactive works of art and engineered entertainment during a week-long smash up of art, science and engineering each fall.

Explore colourful stories of Calgary's past in the Interpretive Centre. Experience both sides of the law as you try on an authentic RCMP uniform or spend some time in our jail. Discover this National Historic Site and take a stroll around the scenic RiverWalk to the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers where Calgary was born.

Discover the victories, tragedies and sacrifices of the Canadian Forces. Interactive displays and artifacts offer a glimpse of our military past and present. Experience life at the helm in a Second World War wheelhouse, walk through a First World War trench and witness a bomber squadron's mission over enemy territory.

Built 1898, as the world’s only log opera house, it was used to host a variety of community events and performances. This national treasure has been restored to its original glory as a performing arts centre.

Led by internationally renowned Music Director Roberto Minczuk, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been a cornerstone of Calgary's multi-faceted arts community since 1955 and is one of North America's finest and most versatile live music ensembles.

Feel like shaking it up with a little Shakespeare? How about some jazz, or an evening with the world's best classical musicians? Mount Royal Conservatory holds public performances including music, theatre, dance, and more.

Explore this incredible collection of over 1,000 instruments, specializing in keyboards and including rare and historical artifacts. Stop by during public hours for an interpretive tour or call ahead to book a group tour.

Explore model trains and grain elevators depicting the Western Canadian grain industry. The Grain Academy and Museum presents the wonderful world of grains and oilseeds through exhibits, touch TV’s and film presentations. It also houses Calgary’s largest model railway display and a working model of the wooden grain elevator.

One of Canada’s most innovative professional opera companies, presenting three main stage productions every year. Each season, Calgary Opera presents three full-scale operas, from traditional masterpieces to world premieres.